The federal government has declared Friday, 1st and Monday 4th September, 2017 as public holidays to mark Id-el-Kabir Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who made the declaration on Monday congratulated Muslim faithful and all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country’s democracy.
According to a statement signed in Abuja by the Ministry’s director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Rufa’i Kawu Attahiru, said Dambazau further urged all Nigerians to join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari “in its avowed determination to build a peaceful and harmonious country, where the rights of every citizen, are protected and guaranteed, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The statement also assured citizens of their safety in all parts of the country, emphasizing that security agencies have been directed to maintain the peace and protect lives and property.
While condemning in strong terms the prevalence of Hate Speeches in the country and warned that the government would henceforth deal with perpetrators according to the law, the Minister emphasised that the government would continue to foster peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and stability in its march towards actualizing the full potential of Nigeria
